Overview

• Macron opened his three-day state visit with an address to Parliament that underscored a post-Brexit reset in UK-EU relations under Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
• The 37th Franco-British Summit will convene Starmer, Macron and leaders including Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Friedrich Merz and Giorgia Meloni to discuss fresh Ukraine aid and the concept of a “reassurance force” after a ceasefire.
• London and Paris backed joint efforts to halt small-boat crossings of the English Channel as France considers a plan to intercept migrant vessels in its shallow coastal waters despite legal and safety questions.
• Ceremonial highlights at Windsor Castle showcased the strong personal rapport between Macron, King Charles III and Queen Camilla that underpins the diplomatic festivities.
• Behind the public unity, officials acknowledged private tensions over how to engage President Trump in Ukraine peace talks and the finer points of post-Brexit trade negotiations.